Cameron Peak Fire Recovery
The Cameron Peak Fire of 2020 burned a remarkable 209,000 acres spread across parts of both the Cache La Poudre and Big Thompson drainages. Rocky Mountain Flycasters is actively engaging in post-fire recovery efforts as we can. We have members currently participating on the Water Recovery Workgroup. This workgroup is but one of several workgroups that make up the Larimer County Recovery Collaborative. The Water Recovery Workgroup is focusing on water related post-fire impacts specific to: Health and Safety; Property and, Environment. It is under the subsection of environment where we plan to be the most helpful in addressing issues regarding coldwater fisheries, macroinvertebrates, rivers and streams, and riparian areas. It is possible that we will have need for volunteers as early as this coming Spring to assist on projects prior to runoff and especially those considered to be exigent extremely important in scope.
BAER assessments are created by the US Forest Service to quickly identify threatened values and resources on USFS lands and, only native trout impacts are addressed. BAER reports are available below. We will keep everyone informed of news and progress.
BAER Summary
This report provides general background about the fire; post-fire threat identification processes; Identified threats; hydrology impacts, including post-fire forecast modeling; and debris flow potential.
BAER Fisheries Report
This report is specific to impacts on fisheries. Again, a reminder the impacts are associated with Greenback Cutthroat Trout as they are the only native trout in the burn area. The report provides a good representation across the watershed as it includes many of the drainages and watersheds with which we have familiarity.
BAER Burn Map
The burn severity map provides an overhead view of the entire burn area and is color-coded to represent burn severity. Red = High, Yellow = Moderate, Light Green = Low and Dark Green = Very Low or No Burn.